In Beirut, despair gives way to anger. In the aftermath of the double explosion, the Lebanese denounce the mismanagement of their government, while Lebanese customs had repeatedly warned the authorities of the risks associated with the presence of ammonium nitrate in the city's port.
Posted on August 5 2020 at 9 a.m. 46 Updated to 11 h 00
La Presse
The Lebanese capital wakes up Wednesday morning after a bloody disaster. Two successive explosions left more than 100 dead and 2750 injured, a death toll that is set to increase. Near 300 000 people are homeless. The damage is estimated at more than 3 billion dollars, according to the governor of Beirut.
The probable cause of the tragedy? 2750 tons of ammonium nitrate, stashed in a hangar in the port of Beirut. The risk caused by this substance stored for six years without any prior precaution was known to high political circles, Al-Jazeera reported on Wednesday.
In 330, months after the arrival of the cargo ship carrying the substance, the director of Lebanese customs, Shafik Merhi, asked to government officials to have the matter resolved, read documents posted online.
Customs authorities have sent at least five letters in the past three years seeking advice. Three options have been proposed: export the ammonium nitrate, transfer it to the Lebanese army or sell it to a private company, Al-Jazeera explains.
The country's president, Michel Aoun, denounced the lack of initiative, which he describes as “unacceptable. “
Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab promised on Tuesday that those responsible for the disaster would pay the price. Three days of national mourning have been declared.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, smoke still circulated in the air through the gutted buildings and the sidewalks cluttered with debris.
The already overwhelmed hospitals received thousands of wounded, but some patients had to be treated in hospitals on the outskirts.
The European Union intends to send aid to Beirut to locate the dozens of missing persons. A hundred firefighters are expected at the scene of the explosions.
On “locatevictimsbeirut”, one of the many Instagram accounts created in the wake of the tragedy, dozens of photos of victims sought by their relatives parade. Families share their contact details in the hope of locating children, uncle, parents or nephews.
The detonation destroyed two grain silos near the port. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Agency (FAO) is worried about a shortage of flour as a major economic crisis hits the country, reports AFP. The port of Beirut is an important gateway to Lebanon, which imports the majority of its food.
The explosion is the most powerful that the capital has known. In its history, Lebanon has been crossed by many conflicts, a civil war and several bombings.